You, too, can stand with the Tibetan people

The Olympic torch run is set to pass through San Francisco -- its only U.S. stop -- on April 9. Now, Mayor Gavin Newsom refused to even listen to human-rights advocates who said that welcoming this tainted torch in the city stands against SF's liberal traditions. And now, he's trying to corral protesters into designated "free-speech areas" -- out of sight of the torch path so as not to offend the delicate Chinese government. Which, as I've been told, thousands of protesters may not take kindly.

The weekend's tragic, bloody crackdown on freedom-seeking Tibetans in Lhasa should make everyone angry -- and should stress the need to hold China's feet to the fire. Mark your calendar for a pre-torch rally at UN Plaza in San Fran on April 8, followed by march to the Chinese consulate and candlelight vigil that evening; then on April 9 the torch run is expected to go through the financial district, where tens of thousands of protesters are expected to gather. I'll be there, and I hope many Angelenos can make it!!